Risir’s request for help in consuming an elixir was abrupt.
Despite his incredulity, ltas felt considerably excited.
“Risir. Do you know the value of this elixir?”
“I believe it’s comparable to a large manor in a major city, roughly speaking.”
“Must you always convert everything to material value?”
“Not necessarily, but isn’t this easier to understand?”
“...In any case, you knew the value of this elixir and still asked for help.”
“Ah, have I perhaps committed a discourtesy?”
“Discourtesy? Quite the opposite.”
Consuming an elixir was a matter of utmost importance for a mage. It was no exaggeration to say that one’s entire life hung in the balance. The monetary value of the item alone was enough to live comfortably for a lifeti.
And the effects gained from consuming such an elixir were equally life-changing. It could elevate a mage to a level that would normally take years to reach, or even open entirely new paths.
In other words, asking for assistance in consuming an elixir was tantamount to entrusting one’s life to another. It was impossible without the utmost trust.
“Aren’t we eting for the first ti? Yet you’ve made such a request of . What if I harbored ill intentions towards your elixir?”
The title of ‘Master’ among the elite of the mage tower wasn’t earned by skill alone. It also required reputation and character. In Bondalles, it would be difficult to find soone more trustworthy than ltas, so Risir’s judgnt wasn’t entirely misplaced.
However, he wasn’t absolutely correct either—Risir’s elixir was a treasure that could tempt even the most trustworthy individuals. If ltas were asked to recomnd soone suitable to assist with elixir consumption, he couldn’t confidently na more than five people.
In that sense, ltas was quite pleased that the lad placed such ultimate trust in him.
The old mage waited expectantly for Risir’s answer. Perhaps he would say sothing like, “I’ve long known of your reputation, Lord ltas. If I had to choose one person in Bondalles to trust absolutely, it would be you.”
He could already picture Risir revering him as his disciple.
“I was confident that you wouldn’t harbor ill intentions, Sir ltas.”
“Ahem-hem. And why is that?”
“You witnessed how a master of an assassin guild showed interest in . I figured you’d be too intimidated to make any misguided judgnts.”
“...”
ltas was shocked. Contrary to his expectations, Risir’s judgnt stemd from cold, rational reasoning. It had nothing to do with respect, trust, or any such recognition!
He was unsure whether to elevate his evaluation of Risir or feel offended he was chosen for such a trivial reason.
“Additionally, I had a slight feeling that you wouldn’t betray your credibility over sothing like this.”
“I say...You’re very inept at flattery. If you had just polished that last bit, you could have made a much better impression.”
“Is that so? But wouldn’t it be odd to completely trust soone you’ve just t today?”
“Quite. Frankly, good impression aside, I would’ve thought the less of you for that. Turns out you’re a young man with surprisingly clear judgnt. Very unexpected, considering that indecisive air about you.”
“Now if you’d just polished that last bit, you could have made a much better impression on . I’m actually quite weak to complints, you see.”
“Well I didn’t feel like uplifting your mood. You seed quite excited to speak your mind.”
“Such a fruitful conversation. I can feel the deceit disappearing from our relationship, Sir ltas, leaving only pure truth.”
“Where did this oddball co from?”
ltas shook his head as he began preparing to assist with the elixir consumption.
***“Risir, we have a problem.”
“Oh please lord, you can tell anything except that there’s sothing wrong with my elixir. I’m already prepared to start bawling.”
“It’s quite the opposite. This elixir...where on earth did you get it?”
“Sorry?”
When it cos to dicine and the like, it’s always better to know what you’re consuming.
ltas had set out to analyze the elixir for more effective consumption, which was where the problem arose.
“I simply cannot fathom the components of this elixir and the magic contained within.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“Well of course! Just imagine the level of precision and skillful craftsmanship it must have taken to make this possible. I can’t even begin to guess.”
Risir felt a sense of déjà vu. Co to think of it, he rembered having a similar conversation with his master, Pamon.
“An elixir like this isn’t sothing you can obtain simply by having a lot of money. I’m truly curious about its origin. It’s as if you’ve raided the vault of so high noble family.”
“Haha. Raiding a high noble family’s vault? That’s quite an exaggeration.”
Risir averted his gaze and changed the subject.
“So, what should I do? Should I just drink it? I’ve learned that it’s a man’s virtue to down a drink without question.”
“A man’s virtue? More like the recklessness of imbeciles. For your information, I’ve never had a drop of alcohol in my life. Alcohol is a poison that clouds the intellect.”
“But don’t unavoidable situations arise where you must drink to maintain smooth social relationships?”
“Be quiet. Anyway, I suppose we will require additional help for you to drink this elixir.”
“Ah, maybe from that Marina person you ntioned earlier?”
“What nonsense are you spouting? I’m a step ahead of Marina in knowledge of all fields. I’m only saying this because it’s not my area of expertise. Take this and follow .”
Risir took the elixir and followed behind ltas.
***Gloomy mages crowded together in a dark, cramped place...that was Risir’s previous impression of mage towers. But after taking a tour arund, Risir had to admit it was a prejudice.
The shape of the buildings was closer to ‘halls’ than ‘towers’, organically connected to each other.
The connecting passages had wide spaces between pillars, giving an open feel. The warm sunlight filtering through the pillars and the well-maintained gardens spread around added a layer of vitality to this openness.
“I thought a mage tower would be a bit gloomier.”
“That’s a common misconception. The mage tower symbolizes the lofty value of intellect and the high spirits of the students pursuing that value. So...”
ltas fixed gleaming eyes on Risir.
“Are you starting to feel interested in mage towers?”
“Shall I tell you what I’ve felt after looking around this place?”
“Do tell.”
“Isn’t the tuition here expensive? I can almost hear the wailing of students coming from under these luxurious pillars.”
“Don’t talk about the mage tower as if it’s so necromancer’s lair. And don’t worry about tuition. There are scholarship and support systems in place.”
“So it’s a structure that exploits the majority except for a select few. Could I actually manage to fit in that minority?”
“Ahem. I think that’s enough talk of money. There’s nothing more aningless than applying material standards to academic value.”
Risir, I will make you my disciple no matter what!
ltas’ tearful efforts continued. As they moved, he diligently appealed to Risir about the strengths of the Gray Tower.
In the process, ltas ca to a startling realization.
Ah! He really doesn’t give a rat’s ass about academic value!
The long history and tradition of the Gray Tower. The aning and value of belonging to such an institution. These were things that any mage would naturally be interested in.
Yet Risir showed no interest at all. The pride, rights, and duties of being a tower mage that ltas spoke of were far removed from his interests.
The lad’s goal was to gain maximum benefit with minimum responsibility. It was a shallow and practical mindset of wanting to enjoy privileges without being bound to the tower.
In the end, ltas had to give in.
“...By the way, joining the mage tower will open various paths for material gain.”
“That’s sudden...but my heart’s starting to race. Could I hear more details?”
“How did I end up like this...!”
ltas lanted his situation, having to set aside his pride as a scholar to cater to Risir’s interests. But he was definitely worth the effort. At first, he was only interested in the lad’s ability, but the more they talked, the more interested he beca in the latter as a person.
Risir’s (excessively) open mindset...ltas thought it matched his unconventional power well. And once one part of him seed admirable, it was only natural that everything else about him started to seem impressive as well.
At this point, he even regretted his initial dismissal of Risir as a bastard. If only he hadn’t started off on the wrong foot, couldn’t they have built a much better relationship? ltas thought he should learn from Risir’s open-mindedness to so extent.
So his current actions could be seen as stemming from this reflection.
“Haah...In the mage tower, we have what’s called the Supporter System.”
“Supporter?”
“It’s a system that recognizes the rights of those who provide direct or indirect help to the tower’s mages. To use an expression you might like, it’s a system that allows you to enjoy the rights of being affiliated with the tower without the expensive tuition, grueling studies, or strict obligations.”
“What?!!! There’s such a progressive system?!”
“Is that really the aning of progressive? Anyhow, it’s not as all-encompassing as you might think. The rights of Supporters are quite limited compared to affiliated mages.”
“Still, as a tower Supporter, I wouldn’t be dismissed as an illegitimate child elsewhere, right?”
“To so extent, yes. The na of a mage tower carries significant weight, after all.”
ltas was starting to reach the main point. He took a pause before continuing.
“By the way, becoming an affiliated mage of the tower ans you’ll be respected wherever you go. I guarantee it on my na.”
“Oh...”
“Which brings to the point, Risir. Would you consider learning magic under ?”
“Learn as in, beco your disciple and—”
“Yes! That’s exactly it!”
“But I already have soone I regard as my master.”
“FWOT?!!!”
ltas froze dramatically in place, looking as if he’d been struck by lightning.
But soon, he applied the skill he had learned through his encounter with Risir—(excessively) open-minded thinking.
“Then I’m fine with being your second master.”
“Fwot?”
This ti, it was Risir who froze like a man struck by lightning.
“Is that how master-disciple relationships work?”
“Why not? Learning is an endless journey. Placing limits is like locking yourself away in a cage.”
“That’s very wise and all but...If I may ask, do you have any plans to take an interest in black magic or necromancy in the near future? I feel the gleam in your eyes feels a bit too strong right now.”
“Well anyway, I’d like you to consider it seriously.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind. By the way, how does this Supporter System work?”
“How can you imdiately change the subject? Is ‘keep it in mind’ your way of saying ‘I’ll bury it in the back of my brain’?”
“Oh dear. Why are you being so clingy?”
“Tch. You stubborn rascal. Just you wait. I swear to make you my disciple.”
“Good grief.”
Risir felt dizzy.
I never thought the first person to go yandere over would be an old man in dreadlocks...!
***The tower grounds were much larger than they appeared from the outside. This was the effect of a barrier.
After walking for quite a while, the two arrived at the Alchemy Wing, on the opposite side of the Magic Wing.
“Oh, Master ltas.”
As they moved down a corridor, a group of chatting, giggling female students recognized ltas and approached. They greeted ltas respectfully before hastily excusing themselves.
Professors and students...It’s just like a school.
Risir mused to himself as he walked onward.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, his steps halted.
A woman had fallen where the female students had been gathered. Docunts were scattered around her, each bearing footprints.
“Ahem. How embarrassing.”
Risir supposed even this scene of bullying seed school-like.
Having shown an unsightly side of the tower, ltas cleared his throat and quickened his pace, keen to leave the scene as swiftly as possible.
“Risir?”
But then he realized Risir was no longer by his side. The lad was crouched near the woman, picking up the docunts.
It really doesn’t feel like a stranger’s problem.
He saw his past self overlapping with her.
“...”
ltas looked at Risir as if he were so strange creature.
The bullied woman had distinctive inverted eyes, black sclera and white irises—she was a half-demon. It was why ltas, though feeling pity for her, hadn’t thought to help.
By societal standards, the female students who had bullied the half-demon were considered the normal ones, while Risir was abnormal for willingly choosing to help.
As Risir gathered the scattered papers, the woman remained seated, motionless. She quietly watched him with her unique inverted eyes, as if observing a mysterious phenonon unfold before her.
“Was that unnecessary of ?”
Risir handed over the stack of collected docunts as he asked.
The woman shook her head.
“No. Thanks for helping.”
She expressed her gratitude with an emotionless expression and voice.
Risir nodded and offered her his hand.
“...”
After staring at Risir’s hand for a long while, she cautiously warned him.
“It’s dirty though.”
“Dirty?”
Demons were beings both blessed and cursed by mana. Half-demons, with their mixed heritage, inherited so of the demonic traits, and their stigma was a pri example.
The woman raised both hands to show him. Dark-red geotric patterns, like veins, stood out on her palms. Her arms, slightly visible through her rolled-up robe sleeves, were wrapped in dark arm warrs.
“I usually wear gloves, but they were taken away.”
She repeatedly clenched her hands. Even as she spoke of this unpleasant detail, her expression and voice remained emotionless.
Perhaps because of it, Risir found it relatively easy to interact with her.
“It’s fine. I’m a bastard myself.”
“?”
Eventually, the woman grasped Risir’s hand and stood up.
“Interesting.”
She awkwardly tugged at the corner of her mouth, as if trying to force emotion onto her expressionless face. Then she simply turned and started leaving.
Risir and ltas also resud walking.
“...”
“...”
“...”
And so, the three ended up walking side by side down the corridor.
“Ahem.”
ltas broke the silence.
“Didoa. Is Master Tulan in her laboratory?”
“No, Master ltas. Master Tulan is currently away.”
“Oh darn.”
“?”
Belatedly, Risir shot a questioning look at ltas.
Were they acquainted?
“She’s Master Tulan’s assistant.”
ltas coughed dryly before trying to explain himself.
“You must know, if I were to show kindness to Didoa, it would only make things difficult for her.”
“Nobody said anything about that.”
“I just felt guilty, so take it as is.”
Didoa nodded from the side.
“Master ltas is right. It’s a bit late to say this, but it’s better if you don’t get involved with . The people in the tower definitely won’t think highly of it.”
So ti later, Risir and ltas finally arrived at their destination. It was the office and laboratory of Tulan, one of the Gray Tower’s elite alchemists.
Didoa opened the door and led the two in. As she had said, Tulan was away.
She guided Risir and ltas to the sofa in the center of the room, then retrieved cups from the cupboard and offered them to the two.
“No, I’m fine.”
“That’s wise of you. Any cup I touch would be dirty.”
“...On second thought, I am a bit thirsty. Please give so tea.”
Didoa quickly prepared tea and set it in front of Risir and ltas. Standing beside them, she fidgeted with her bare hands, as if unsure what to do with them.
“Ahem. Didoa, I don’t recall asking for tea.”
ltas shot an uneasy sideway glance at Didoa’s hands.
“That works out well. I’m quite thirsty right now.”
“...No, it’s fine. I’ll just drink.”
After taking a reluctant sip of tea, ltas threw a question.
“Didoa. When is Master Tulan expected to return?”
“I’m guessing...she’ll be back closer to sunset.”
“...That’s quite a dilemma.”
“Was Master Tulan the one you ntioned could help, Sir ltas?”
“Ah. Master Tulan is one of the most proficient alchemists within the Gray Tower.”
“Is it impossible to consu the elixir without her help?”
“Not necessarily. She was just the first alchemist that ca to mind. Truthfully, any skilled alchemist should do.”
As he listened, Risir’s gaze turned to Didoa.
“From what I hear, Miss Didoa is Master Tulan’s assistant?”
“...Risir, surely you’re not...?”
“If she’s an assistant to the Tower’s most proficient alchemist, surely that alone guarantees her skills.”
“...Good heavens.”
ltas nervously fiddled with his braided beard, trying to calm his anxiety. He was appalled that Risir would entrust such a precious elixir to a half-demon.
“So, Miss Didoa. Would you mind helping?”
“...”
Didoa turned her gaze outside the window.
***Today was ant to be Didoa’s pivotal mont—the day when years of preparation would finally bear fruit.
“...No, it’s fine. If you need help, I’ll assist you.”
Yet, she put her plan aside.
Her decision spared the lives of Master Tulan and several other alchemists...at least for now.
Reviews
All reviews (0)